If you're going to ground into a double play, have the decency to strike out.

Ever come across that old baseball adage?

Associated PressWRIGHT ON: David Wright tied a franchise record by extending his hitting streak to 24 games with a second inning single.

So far this season, our opponents are playing like they've never heard it, and that's gone a long way toward starting the 2007 campaign with a healthy 8-4 record despite a starting pitching staff that's battled control lapses -- 28 walks in its last 30 innings -- during a particularly frigid April.

Tom Glavine (3-1) did not have his usual pin-point accuracy against the Phillies last night, but like most of his rotation comrades, he benefited from a stellar defense that turned three more double plays. We now lead the league with 21.

The key to this defensive coming of age? Our play up the middle.

While Jose Reyes is playing stellar D as always (he's yet to make an error this season, unlike his cross-town counterpart), second baseman Jose Valentin has kicked his glove game up a notch, compensating for a slow start with the bat. Not bad for a guy who was defensively challenged at both third base and shortstop.

He stepped up
Moises Alou. Our leftfielder had his best game as a Met, swatting two home runs and making a fine sliding catch in the field.

He did not
Carlos Delgado. The Mets belted 13 hits, but none came from our first baseman's bat. Carlos went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts and is cold as a cucumber.

He's hurting
Paul Lo Duca. The catcher took a foul tip off his right index finger in the fourth inning and left the game for x-rays, which were negative. He'll be re-evaluated again today. Apparently a fracture is still a concern.